Cintas Corporation (Nasdaq: CTAS) today reported results for its fiscal 2018 fourth quarter ended May 31, 2018.

Revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 was approximately $1.67 billion, an increase of 9.1% over last year’s fourth quarter. The organic revenue growth rate, which adjusts for the impacts of acquisitions and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, was 5.1%. As a reminder, we closed on the acquisition of G&K Services, Inc. (G&K) on March 21, 2017, so the organic growth rate no longer adjusts for that acquisition. The organic revenue growth rates for the Uniform Rental and Facility Services and First Aid and Safety Services reportable operating segments were 5.3% and 9.4%, respectively.

Operating income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 of $265 million increased 49.7% from last year’s fourth quarter operating income of $177 million. Operating income was reduced $15 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 and $63 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 by transaction and integration expenses related to the G&K acquisition.

Scott D. Farmer, Cintas’ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are pleased to report another quarter of strong financial results. Operating income excluding G&K transaction and integration expenses increased 16.4% over last year’s fourth quarter, resulting in an adjusted operating margin of 16.8% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to 15.8% last year. In addition, we continued to make substantial progress on two significant investments. The first is the acquisition of G&K. We have now closed nearly all operations necessary to eliminate redundancies, which is 63 operations to date. Also, all G&K operations have been converted to Cintas operating systems. The second is the implementation of an enterprise resource planning system. We converted 29 more operations to the new system in the fourth quarter, for a total of 108 so far, which is 34% of the total including G&K operations.”

Net income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of $189 million increased 130.4% from last year’s fourth quarter. Earnings per diluted share (EPS) from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 were $1.68 compared to $0.75 for last year’s fourth quarter. Fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 fourth quarter EPS included a negative impact of $0.09 and $0.50, respectively, from transaction and integration expenses related to the G&K acquisition. Excluding G&K transaction and integration expenses, adjusted EPS from continuing operations for the fourth quarter were $1.77 compared to $1.25 for last year’s fourth quarter, an increase of 41.6%.

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2018, revenue was $6.47 billion, an increase of 21.7% over the prior fiscal year. Organic growth was 7.1%. Earnings per diluted share from continuing operations for fiscal 2018 were $7.03 compared to $4.17 for last fiscal year. Fiscal 2018 EPS included a benefit of $1.59 in the third quarter from the enactment of The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Tax Act) but was negatively impacted by $0.24 due to a one-time cash payment to Cintas employees following the enactment of the Tax Act. In addition, fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 EPS included a negative impact of $0.26 and $0.60, respectively, from transaction and integration expenses related to the G&K acquisition.

Mr. Farmer continued, “We finished the year strong and beat our fourth quarter revenue and EPS guidance. In doing so, we solidified the year and added to our record of success. We have now grown revenue and net income 47 of the past 49 years, with the only exception being the two years of the Great Recession. Fiscal 2018’s financial achievement was especially noteworthy given that it was accomplished in a period of extreme change management in which we were also integrating our largest acquisition to-date and implementing a new enterprise resource planning system. Fiscal 2018 was also special because we were included for the first time in the Fortune 500. The inclusion reflects our strong financial growth, expanding line of products and services and innovative technologies. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our employee-partners to our shareholders, customers and company. We aren’t finished yet, however. We look forward to climbing even higher in the ranking.”

Mr. Farmer concluded, “Looking ahead to next year, we expect fiscal 2019 revenue to be in the range of $6.75 billion to $6.82 billion and EPS from continuing operations to be in the range of $7.00 to $7.15. This EPS guidance excludes the impact of any fiscal 2019 share buybacks. It also excludes G&K integration expenses. However, we expect G&K integration expenses to be incurred in fiscal 2019 as we continue to integrate this significant acquisition, and we estimate that they will total $15 million to $20 million.”

About Cintas

Cintas Corporation helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes get Ready™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing a wide range of products and services that enhance our customers’ image and help keep their facilities and employees clean, safe and looking their best. With products and services including uniforms, floor care, restroom supplies, first aid and safety products, fire extinguishers and testing, and safety and compliance training, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday™. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held Fortune 500 company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and the Nasdaq-100 Index.

CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor from civil litigation for forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “estimates,” “anticipates,” “predicts,” “projects,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “target,” “forecast,” “believes,” “seeks,” “could,” “should,” “may” and “will” or the negative versions thereof and similar words, terms and expressions and by the context in which they are used. Such statements are based upon current expectations of Cintas and speak only as of the date made. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. We cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will be realized. These statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties, potentially inaccurate assumptions and other factors that could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in or implied by this Press Release. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, risks inherent with the G&K transaction in the achievement of cost synergies and the timing thereof, including whether the transaction will be accretive and within the expected timeframe and the actual amounts of future integration expenses; the possibility of greater than anticipated operating costs including energy and fuel costs; lower sales volumes; loss of customers due to outsourcing trends; the performance and costs of integration of acquisitions, including G&K fluctuations in costs of materials and labor including increased medical costs; costs and possible effects of union organizing activities; failure to comply with government regulations concerning employment discrimination, employee pay and benefits and employee health and safety; the effect on operations of exchange rate fluctuations, tariffs and other political, economic and regulatory risks; uncertainties regarding any existing or newly-discovered expenses and liabilities related to environmental compliance and remediation; the cost, results and ongoing assessment of internal controls for financial reporting required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; the effect of new accounting pronouncements; costs of our SAP system implementation; disruptions caused by the inaccessibility of computer systems data, including cybersecurity risks; the initiation or outcome of litigation, investigations or other proceedings; higher assumed sourcing or distribution costs of products; the disruption of operations from catastrophic or extraordinary events; the amount and timing of repurchases of our common stock, if any; changes in federal and state tax and labor laws; and the reactions of competitors in terms of price and service. Cintas undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to any forward-looking statements or to otherwise update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information or to reflect events, circumstances or any other unanticipated developments arising after the date on which such statements are made. A further list and description of risks, uncertainties and other matters can be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2017 and in our reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K. The risks and uncertainties described herein are not the only ones we may face. Additional risks and uncertainties presently not known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also harm our business.

     
Cintas Corporation
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income
(In thousands except per share data)
 
 
Three Months Ended
(Unaudited)
May 31, May 31,
2018   2017   % Change
 
Revenue:
Uniform rental and facility services $ 1,342,786 $ 1,220,015 10.1 %
Other   326,764      

310,272

  5.3 %
Total revenue 1,669,550 1,530,287 9.1 %
 
Costs and expenses:
Cost of uniform rental and facility services 737,998 676,389 9.1 %
Cost of other 179,214 175,172 2.3 %
Selling and administrative expenses 471,807 437,672 7.8 %
G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses   15,031       63,746   -76.4 %
 
Operating income 265,500 177,308 49.7 %
 
Interest income (370 ) (130 ) 184.6 %
Interest expense   24,828       45,389   -45.3 %
 
Income before income taxes 241,042 132,049 82.5 %
Income taxes   51,744       49,875   3.7 %
Income from continuing operations 189,298 82,174 130.4 %
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax   (3,127 )     2,063   -251.6 %
Net income $ 186,171   $ 84,237   121.0 %
 
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
Continuing operations $ 1.74 $ 0.76 128.9 %
Discontinued operations   (0.03 )     0.02   -250.0 %
Basic earnings per share $ 1.71     $ 0.78   119.2 %
 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Continuing operations $ 1.68 $ 0.75 124.0 %
Discontinued operations   (0.02 )     0.01   -300.0 %
Diluted earnings per share $ 1.66     $ 0.76   118.4 %
 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding 106,879 105,325
Diluted average number of shares outstanding 110,574 109,023
 
 
 
Twelve Months Ended
May 31, May 31,
2018   2017   % Change
 
Revenue:
Uniform rental and facility services $ 5,247,124 $ 4,202,490 24.9 %
Other   1,229,508       1,120,891   9.7 %
Total revenue 6,476,632 5,323,381 21.7 %
 
Costs and expenses:
Cost of uniform rental and facility services 2,886,959 2,307,774 25.1 %
Cost of other 681,150 635,312 7.2 %
Selling and administrative expenses 1,916,792 1,527,380 25.5 %
G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses   41,897       79,224   -47.1 %
 
Operating income 949,834 773,691 22.8 %
 
Interest income (1,342 ) (237 ) 466.2 %
Interest expense   110,175       86,524   27.3 %
 
Income before income taxes 841,001 687,404 22.3 %
Income taxes   57,069       230,118   -75.2 %
Income from continuing operations 783,932 457,286 71.4 %
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax   58,654       23,422   150.4 %
Net income $ 842,586     $ 480,708   75.3 %
 
Basic earnings per share:
Continuing operations $ 7.24 $ 4.27 69.6 %
Discontinued operations   0.54       0.22   145.5 %
Basic earnings per share $ 7.78     $ 4.49   73.3 %
 
Diluted earnings per share:
Continuing operations $ 7.03 $ 4.17 68.6 %
Discontinued operations   0.53       0.21   152.4 %
Diluted earnings per share $ 7.56     $ 4.38   72.6 %
 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding 106,593 104,964
Diluted average number of shares outstanding 109,810 107,783
 
 
CINTAS CORPORATION SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
   
Three Months Ended
May 31, May 31,
2018   2017
Uniform rental and facility services gross margin 45.0% 44.6%
Other gross margin 45.2% 43.5%
Total gross margin 45.1% 44.4%
Net margin, continuing operations 11.3% 5.4%
 
 
 
Twelve Months Ended
May 31, May 31,
2018   2017
Uniform rental and facility services gross margin 45.0% 45.1%
Other gross margin 44.6% 43.3%
Total gross margin 44.9% 44.7%
Net margin, continuing operations 12.1% 8.6%
 
   
Computation of Diluted Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations
 
Three Months Ended
May 31, May 31,
2018   2017
 
Income from continuing operations $ 189,298 $ 82,174
Less: income from continuing operations allocated to participating securities   2,981     951
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders $ 186,317   $ 81,223
 
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 106,879 105,325
Effect of dilutive securities - employee stock options   3,695     3,698
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding   110,574     109,023
 
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations $ 1.68   $ 0.75
 
 
 
Twelve Months Ended
May 31, May 31,
2018   2017
 
Income from continuing operations $ 783,932 $ 457,286
Less: income from continuing operations allocated to participating securities   11,794     8,168
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders $ 772,138   $ 449,118
 
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 106,593 104,964
Effect of dilutive securities - employee stock options   3,217     2,819
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding   109,810     107,783
 
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations $ 7.03   $ 4.17
 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Regulation G Disclosure

The press release contains a non-GAAP financial measure within the meaning of Regulation G promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. To supplement its consolidated condensed financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the Company provides an additional non-GAAP financial measure of cash flow. The Company believes that this non-GAAP financial measure is appropriate to enhance understanding of its past performance as well as prospects for future performance. A reconciliation of the difference between this non-GAAP financial measure with the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP is shown below.

                 
Computation of Free Cash Flow
 
Twelve Months Ended
May 31, May 31,
2018   2017
 
Net Cash Provided by Operations $ 964,160 $ 763,887
 
Capital Expenditures   (271,699 )     (273,317 )
 
Free Cash Flow $ 692,461     $ 490,570  
 

Management uses free cash flow to assess the financial performance of the Company. Management believes that free cash flow is useful to investors because it relates the operating cash flow of the Company to the capital that is spent to continue, improve and grow business operations.

         
SUPPLEMENTAL SEGMENT DATA

Uniform Rental
and Facility
Services

  

First Aid
and Safety
Services

  

All
Other

   Corporate   Total
For the three months ended May 31, 2018
Revenue $ 1,342,786 $ 147,707 $ 179,057 $ - $ 1,669,550
Gross margin $ 604,788 $ 69,402 $ 78,148 $ - $ 752,338
Selling and administrative expenses $ 368,144 $ 48,275 $ 55,388 $ - $ 471,807
G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses $ 15,031 $ - $ - $ - $ 15,031
Interest income $ - $ - $ - $ (370 ) $ (370 )
Interest expense $ - $ - $ - $ 24,828 $ 24,828
Income (loss) before income taxes $ 221,613 $ 21,127 $ 22,760 $ (24,458 ) $ 241,042
 
For the three months ended May 31, 2017
Revenue $ 1,220,015 $ 134,358 $ 175,914 $ - $ 1,530,287
Gross margin $ 543,626 $ 59,814 $ 75,286 $ - $ 678,726
Selling and administrative expenses $ 336,400 $ 45,551 $ 55,721 $ - $ 437,672
G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses $ 63,746 $ - $ - $ - $ 63,746
Interest income $ - $ - $ - $ (130 ) $ (130 )
Interest expense $ - $ - $ - $ 45,389 $ 45,389
Income (loss) before income taxes $ 143,480 $ 14,263 $ 19,565 $ (45,259 ) $ 132,049
 
For the twelve months ended May 31, 2018
Revenue $ 5,247,124 $ 564,706 $ 664,802 $ - $ 6,476,632
Gross margin $ 2,360,165 $ 265,785 $ 282,573 $ - $ 2,908,523
Selling and administrative expenses $ 1,500,644 $ 190,567 $ 225,581 $ - $ 1,916,792
G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses $ 41,897 $ - $ - $ - $ 41,897
Interest income $ - $ - $ - $ (1,342 ) $ (1,342 )
Interest expense $ - $ - $ - $ 110,175 $ 110,175
Income (loss) before income taxes $ 817,624 $ 75,218 $ 56,992 $ (108,833 ) $ 841,001
 
For the twelve months ended May 31, 2017
Revenue $ 4,202,490 $ 508,233 $ 612,658 $ - $ 5,323,381
Gross margin $ 1,894,716 $ 230,166 $ 255,413 $ - $ 2,380,295
Selling and administrative expenses $ 1,138,345 $ 177,378 $ 211,657 $ - $ 1,527,380
G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses $ 79,224 $ - $ - $ - $ 79,224
Interest income $ - $ - $ - $ (237 ) $ (237 )
Interest expense $ - $ - $ - $ 86,524 $ 86,524
Income (loss) before income taxes $ 677,147 $ 52,788 $ 43,756 $ (86,287 ) $ 687,404
 
   
Cintas Corporation

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets

(In thousands except share data)

 
May 31, May 31,

ASSETS

2018 2017
   
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 138,724 $ 169,266
Marketable securities - 22,219
Accounts receivable, net 804,583 736,008
Inventories, net 280,347 278,218
Uniforms and other rental items in service 702,261 635,702
Income taxes, current 19,634 44,320
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 32,383 30,132
Assets held for sale   -     38,613  
Total current assets 1,977,932 1,954,478
 
Property and equipment, net 1,382,730 1,323,501
 
Investments 175,581 164,788
Goodwill 2,846,888 2,782,335
Service contracts, net 545,768 586,988
Other assets, net   29,315     31,967  
 
$ 6,958,214   $ 6,844,057  
 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 215,074 $ 177,051
Accrued compensation and related liabilities 140,654 149,635
Accrued liabilities 420,129 429,809
Debt due within one year - 362,900
Liabilities held for sale   -     11,457  
Total current liabilities 775,857 1,130,852
 
Long-term liabilities:
Debt due after one year 2,535,309 2,770,624
Deferred income taxes 352,581 469,328
Accrued liabilities   277,941     170,460  
Total long-term liabilities 3,165,831 3,410,412
 
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, no par value: - -
100,000 shares authorized, none outstanding
Common stock, no par value: 618,464 485,068
425,000,000 shares authorized
FY18: 182,723,471 issued and 106,326,383 outstanding
FY17: 180,992,605 issued and 105,400,629 outstanding
Paid-in capital 245,211 223,924
Retained earnings 5,837,827 5,170,830
Treasury stock: (3,701,319 ) (3,574,000 )
FY18: 76,397,088 shares
FY17: 75,591,976 shares
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   16,343     (3,029 )
Total shareholders' equity   3,016,526     2,302,793  
 
$ 6,958,214   $ 6,844,057  
 
       
Cintas Corporation
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
 
Twelve Months Ended
May 31, May 31,
2018   2017

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income $ 842,586 $ 480,708
 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation 215,476 171,565
Amortization of intangible assets 63,940 25,030
Stock-based compensation 112,835 88,868
Gain on sale of business (96,400 ) -
Gain on Storage - (1,460 )
Gain on Shred-it - (25,457 )
Asset impairment charge - 23,331
G&K Services, Inc. transaction and integration expenses - 31,445
Short-term debt financing fees included in net income - 17,062
Settlement of interest rate hedge - 30,194
Deferred income taxes (119,295 ) 3,902

Change in current assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions of businesses:

Accounts receivable, net (66,267 ) (93,557 )
Inventories, net (3,323 ) (668 )
Uniforms and other rental items in service (64,299 ) (8,732 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (15,526 ) 24,201
Accounts payable 35,275 13,726
Accrued compensation and related liabilities (9,392 ) 13,654
Accrued liabilities and other 42,468 (501 )
Income taxes, current   26,082     (29,424 )
 
Net cash provided by operating activities 964,160 763,887
 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 
Capital expenditures (271,699 ) (273,317 )
Proceeds from redemption of marketable securities and investments 179,857 218,324
Purchase of marketable securities and investments (153,708 ) (181,065 )
Proceeds from sale of business 127,835 -
Proceeds from Storage transactions - 2,400
Proceeds from Shred-it transaction - 25,876
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired (19,346 ) (2,102,371 )
Other, net   1,363     (196 )
 
Net cash used in investing activities (135,698 ) (2,310,349 )
 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 
(Payments) issuance of commercial paper, net (50,500 ) 50,500
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net - 1,932,229
Repayment of debt (550,000 ) (250,000 )
Prepaid short-term debt financing fees - (17,062 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock-based compensation awards 41,848 31,870
Dividends paid (175,589 ) (142,433 )
Repurchase of common stock (127,319 ) (20,724 )
Other, net   (2,580 )   (5,878 )
 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (864,140 ) 1,578,502
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   5,136     (2,131 )
 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (30,542 ) 29,909
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year   169,266     139,357  
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 138,724   $ 169,266